So here is my pedalboard for this year, for those of you out there that like this kind of thing (and I know there are a few of you who do!). Not much change from the last couple of years, I am pretty much happy with everything. One of the main changes is using a TC Polytune mini, rather than the Boss TU-3 Tuner, to be honest I prefer the Boss (probably because I have been using Boss tuners since I was 9!) but as you can see space is premium, so the TC wins out, and I have to say polyphonic tuning rocks! I have replaced the wah, primarily as I have a habit of breaking wah pedals, must be my big feet...but as you can see from my review, I love the fact you can adjust the sweep of the Dunlop Jerry Cantrell wah...oh and I love Alice in Chains, so it looks cool!Biggest change of all is that I have recently switched to using the Eganter Tweaker 40 head instead of the Fender Blues Junior III, which has been an absolute trooper of an amp, and I won't hear a word said against it....so why the change...well I just fancied having some good old Amp distortion for a bit, and you know what us guitarists are like, like to mix things up a bit sometimes. So because of this change I am now using my favourite piece of gear (the TC Nova System) in the loop, I am sad to loose the distortion and overdrive (I know I have discussed this at great length), but it really does also excel in the loop, I love having the boost in the loop to give that extra boost and drive to solos (and the compresor too.So, if I am using amp distortion, why the overdrive/distortion pedals? Well1) They were already on the board2) I really do love both pedals and the do give some different flavours to my sound, giving me a whole pallet of sounds which I need to cover all the eras we do in www.groovething.co.uk3) By dropping the gain on the amp, I can get some lovely crunchy over driven tones, kick in either of the pedals and boom instant overdriven blues or lovely saturated fusion!All in all it is working quite well!EnjoyPeaceNeil 
Inspirational Looping
As you many know I am a bit of a fan of looping with the guitar, and see a wealth of creative opportunities in the process of looping, from being able to use it as a practice tool, to creating complex layered pieces (especially when using something like the Roland GR-55). I currently own the basic Boss RC-3 pedal and think it is fantastic little tool, there are a few videos on my youtube channel showing it in action, for those of you whom are interested. So, it was fantastic to stumble across this video showing the fantastic Alex Hutchings putting each of the loopers through their paces, and also giving some creative inspiration in the process. The video is really well worth a view, and hopefully will inspire you as it did me!EnjoyPeaceNeil
Joyo American Sound and Vintage Overdrive pedals in use - Sound Files
So here are a couple of sound recordings using only the Joyo American Sound and Vintage Overdrive pedals into a TC Electronic Hall of Fame to give a little bit of spring reverb (ala Fender amps) and then directly into Digital Performer and nothing else (well a little bit of ambience and speaker simulation from DP's live room)...sounds pretty good I think !Firstly, a bit of Sweet Home Chicago ala Magic Sam styleSecondly, a bit of Thrillin' ala B.B. King styleAs you can tell I am well impressed, primarily given their cost!! Two pedals for less that the cost of one 'normal' pedals!PeaceNeil
Le Freak and We Are Family - Groovething
Another video from Groovething's gig at New Century Hall, just before Christmas. EnjoyPeaceNeil
TC Nova System in action
Okay this is a bit of a geeky post, but I know some of you love to see pedal boards, so here is a blurry one of mine, taken today at the Tatton Wedding Fayre. Run down of what's on it, Jerry Cantrell Wah, Rothwell f1 Booster, Suhr Riot, Boss Tu-3 and into TC Nova system. Yes, okay this is probably the geekiest post I have ever done :) I should follow up and say that I am totally happy with this set up, it has been pretty constant for about a year now and works perfectly well for me. I usually run into my Fender Blues Junior III tweed, but today I was using a borrowed amp (tiny Laney). I thought it might be good to show that whilst I produce a whole bunch of videos about the nova system, I really do use it live!!PeaceNeil
Higher and Higher - Jackie Wilson - Groovething UK Function Band
Well as the snow keeps getting deeper and deeper (!), why not warm up your snowy Friday afternoon with this little tune, sure to warm the cockles! Featuring the fantastic horns of Chris and CharlottePeaceNeil
TC Electronic Nova System In front or in the loop?
Here is a short video on the TC Electronic Nova System, explaining the differences between using it front of an amp, or in the loop. I get asked this question quite a lot, so I thought I would put together a little video explaining the differences between each, but at the end of day, it comes down to you as a player and the sound you are after as to where you place it. Or you could just get two Nova Systems, as I mentioned in this post and it is still cheaper that a G-System! PeaceNeil